April 18, 2023

Celebrating National Healthcare Decisions Day

People don’t like to talk about it, but it’s important to have a plan if you find yourself in a situation where you cannot make a medical decision for yourself.

April 16 was National Healthcare Decisions Day. It was created to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning.

“Wisconsin and Michigan are not next-of-kin states which means family members are not automatically authorized to make heath care decisions for you unless you have completed an Advance Directive naming them as an agent,” said Liza Steffeck, MSW,CAPSW, an Advance Care Planner with Aspirus Langlade Hospital. 

An advance directive is a legal document that explains how you want medical decisions to be made and who to make those decisions if you cannot make them yourself. 

“This would guide your family and medical team if there was a sudden incident or illness that left you unable to communicate your wishes,” Steffeck adds.

Team members at Aspirus Langlade Hospital and Clinic gathered on Tuesday, April 11, for an Advanced Care Planning is Important event which served as a reminder for those needing more information about health care decision making. “It’s important for all our staff to be informed and aware of the steps necessary for this important process,” Steffeck said. 

Aspirus Langlade Hospital and Clinic is excited to announce the availability of assistance for people interested in or needing help filling out Advance Directives. Through a FREE program called “Honoring Choices,” Trained Advance Care Planning facilitators will assist you in exploring and documenting your wishes. 

Aspirus Antigo Clinic is accepting walk-in appointments starting April 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Appointments will also be offered on the 4th Tuesday of each month at Aspirus Elcho Clinic starting April 25 and the 1st Tuesday of each month at Aspirus Birnamwood Clinic starting in May. The Birnamwood and Elcho Clinic sessions are by appointment only; please call 715-623-9790 to schedule.

Reminder: Employees who participate in the Aspirus Wellness program can also receive wellness points for meeting with an Advance Care Planner to complete a POA-HC.

If you have questions or would like to schedule an Advance Care Planning appointment, please contact Liza at 715-623-9790 or by email.

Additional information, including helpful video information, can be found on the Aspirus website.

In Memory of Dr. John McKenna

Week of the Young Child at LeRoyer Child Care Center

In early April, the Week of the Young Child was celebrated at childcare programs across the nation. This week is set aside to recognize how important the early childhood years are as the foundation for all learning. 

At LeRoyer Child Care, we had special activities all week, such as cooking days, a fire truck visit, Disney Day, and Kyle Rustick from Antigo police stopped to spend some time with the children. 

Several guest readers came from the hospital and community to read special stories to the children. Tricia Schairer, Janelle Markgraf, Penny Matuszewski, and Corey Smith from the Antigo Fire Department read to the classrooms and even brought special items for the children. 

It was a great week for everyone.

Employment Recognitions

Earth Day Word Search

Complete the word search for Earth Day!

Finished copies should be sent via interoffice mail by Tuesday, April 25 to Melissa Siemers, Human Resources.

Click on the image to download the Word Search.

Entries will be entered in a drawing for a canvas Aspirus grocery bag.

Regional Communications Contact

If you have items that require the assistance of the MarCom team locally, please contact Aspirus Manager of System Communications & Engagement Tom Weaver who is providing interim coverage (715-847-2000 ext. 51455). Please provide any items for this newsletter by end-of-day Friday for use the following week.